Bill Fetzer passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 25, 1926 to William and Lillie Fetzer at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Yakima, Washington.
He attended the Armstrong School in Lower Ahtanum, Franklin Jr. High, and Yakima High School through the 11th grade. In August of 1949, Bill was introduced to the love of his life, Denva Smith. They became engaged on Christmas of that same year and were married January 26, 1951 in Yakima. Bill and Denva were married for 61 years, until her death in March of 2012.
Bill enjoyed playing Pinochle, gardening, making bird houses, watching the Mariners, attending Bible Study on Wednesdays, and playing Bingo with the seniors at Ponderosa.
Bill was baptized at the Cornell Avenue Church of Christ in January of 1968, where he served as a Deacon and an Elder for many years. He was currently a member of the Summit View Church of Christ. He was a devoted Christian, setting an excellent example for his children and grandchildren.
As a young man, Bill worked with his parents on the family dairy farm. In 1945, he was drafted into the U. S. Army Air Force where he served as a ground engineer until his discharge in 1946. Bill was never without a job and became known as the "Man on the Go!” He was employed for many years at Cheshire Motors before becoming a co-owner of United Tire Service in 1958. He also worked at Holmes Tire Service in Yakima and Frank's Tire Town in Union Gap. He retired from Upper Valley Farm Service, the last day of December, 1986. In his retirement, he transported new & used vehicles for Pingrey Ford Motors and Hertz Rentals.
Bill is survived by his three daughters: Vicki Fetzer and Christi (Gary) Hull of Yakima, Lori (Ron) Ranniger of Tumwater, one son: Billy Fetzer of Yakima, Kim Fetzer, former daughter-in-law, 9 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Jeanette Glaspey of Yakima, and numerous nephews and nieces. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Denva, one sister, June Callihan, and one granddaughter, Tayler (Leeberg) Emerson.
Visitation will be held at Rainier Memorial Center from Noon to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m., and then will follow with Committal Service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Summit View Church of Christ or the American Diabetes Assn. in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the caregivers at Landmark Rehab Center, Ponderosa Assisted Living, and the 5th floor nurses and aides at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. You were ALL angels!
To share a memory of William, visit keithandkeith.com .
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